I’m a big supporter of the WWF in just about everything that they do. However, this past Thursday on Smackdown, I was appalled at what I saw on their programming.
For weeks, Jim Ross has been making statements to the effect that the WWF wrestlers need to tone down their high-risk maneuvers. He has been preaching that ring psychology is what their younger, high-risk wrestlers need to learn and that instead of taking huge spots night in and night out, that big spots should once again be considered a high point of the night (remember when Andre the Giant tried to use the chair on Hulk Hogan? It was like hell was breaking loose!). After everything that Jim Ross has said about these high spots…I think it’s obvious whether or not he is right or wrong.
He’s right.
Not only is he correct, but he is damn correct. There is no need for another unfortunate situation like Shawn Michaels to occur…where a man is one of the biggest draws of his time, but has to end his career way too early due to back injuries incurred in big time spots performed night in and night out. So yes, Jim Ross is correct in his assessment of these high-risk maneuvers. They need to be toned down and they need to be saved so that they have earth-shattering impact when they are performed.
However, what the WWF pulled on Smackdown was down right disgusting in my opinion. Ok, so the fake injury angle has been used time and time again. Should that angle be put on the shelf? Absolutely not! Sometimes a wrestler has family issues that SHOULD stay quiet to the internet media and saying something to the effect that “So and so will not be competing for the next few weeks due to a sprained right elbow” is appropriate. Sometimes a wrestler has personal issues and saying that a concussion has put someone on the shelf indefinitely is also a good way to leave the personal dirty laundry out of the public spot light. But Jeff Hardy has neither a personal issue, nor does he have family issues right now (here’s hoping that he never does).
The WWF has Jeff faking an injury off of a high-impact spot that he has done before. And why? Because they don’t want their wrestlers taking high-risk spots every match. So by making Jeff Hardy (a loveable babyface wrestler) look like the victim of the mean, bad, nasty high-impact ladder you have fans hating the ladder and hoping that he doesn’t take so many high-risk chances. Throw in a little bit of concern from his opponent, Rob Van Dam, and some backstage road agents and bookers, and you have a semi-believable situation that even got the crowd to chant “Hardy, Hardy, Hardy” until Jeff stood up on his own accord.
Why is this the low road if major injuries can be incurred from these spots? Because the WWF is the only major force in wrestling right now. All they have to do is tell their wrestlers to relax with the high spots and it’s done! What, are their high impact wrestlers going to go and work for MECW? Please! MECW can’t even afford to pay it’s own crew let alone a new wrestler straight from the WWF! It’s a simple concept – the WWF has complete control over what goes on in their rings (one only needs to look at the infamous 1997 Montreal Screw Job of Bret Hart to see that is true). If they feel that their wrestlers need not be taking such extreme risks, all they need to do is tell them that.
But instead of doing that, the WWF took the low road. They made people believe that Jeff Hardy was hurt…that he has bruised ribs (which they will continue to play up for the next few weeks I imagine). Could Jeff have gotten seriously hurt from his ladder spot? Of course! Did he get seriously hurt? Thank God no. But does the 7 year old fan at the event with his older brother know that? No. Does the 10 year old fan who is at home watching know that? No. I realize that viewers under the age of 14 make up a very small fraction of the WWF audience (I believe they make up 15% or less of the total audience – and no, wrestling is not marketed towards the younger viewers, as anyone with a brain can tell you). This small 15% is good for wrestling toys and video games, but they should not have to be the group who is duped into believing that one of their heroes is hurt when he isn’t.
That’s taking the low road.
Thanks again for reading,
Joe
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